YIELD AND FIBRE CONTENT OF MAIZE PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR GREEN MATTER IN POLAND

Abstract

Background. This work presents the findings of research conducted in 2009–2011 aimed at an assessment of the suitability for cultivation in Poland of selected maize cultivars included in the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species (CCA). Production-related value of the examined cultivars and fibre content determining the quality of feed produced from maize stover harvested at various development stages were assessed. Material and methods. The following two factors were examined in the experiment: A − the harvest date of maize green matter (I − tasseling stage (75% of plants at this stage), II − milk maturity stage (after three weeks), III − wax maturity stage (after another three weeks); B − cultivars with different maturity (Pyroxenia – very early, FAO 130, Codimi – early, FAO 200, Moschus – early, FAO 220, Alombo – medium early, FAO 230, Celive – medium early, FAO 245).Results. The results demonstrated that the highest fresh matter yields were obtained for cv. Alombo harvested at the stage of milk maturity and at the stage of wax maturity, and for cv. Celive harvested at the wax maturity stage. Conclusion. All of the maize cultivars had their lowest content of crude fibre and its fractions when they were harvested at the wax maturity stage.